Help & advice
Choosing tiles for your bathroom? It's not just about choosing tiles...
Bathroom start date looming, finger hovering over the order button on a sale offer on a nice box of tiles? Wait! There's a surprising amount to think about along with the tile itself. Before you hit buy now, here are the decisions you'll need to plan ahead.
Where are you tiling?
Easy one. What areas are getting tiled? Just the floor? Half-height walls? Full floor-to-ceiling drama? Or just a splashback behind the basin?
The more area you tile, the more tiles (and grout) you'll need – and the higher the labour cost. So be clear on scope before you get your quotes in.
What layout?
Small tiles and fancy patterns (think mosaics or herringbone) might look great but take more time to install, often involving more cuts – so they'll cost more in time and tiles.
Larger tiles can be quicker to lay and have fewer grout lines (easier to clean too), but can need trickier cuts the more fixtures and fittings you have to plan around. Whether you want your tiles laid straight or in a pattern, the layout affects not just the look but the labour involved too.
Do they need to be sealed?
Some tiles, like encaustic cement, need sealing before and after grouting. If you're picking anything porous or natural, like terracotta or marble, make sure you're ready for the extra effort.
Porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles generally don't need sealing.
How are the edges finished?
This is a biggie people forget. If you don't decide how you want exposed tile edges to look, your tiler will – and it might not be the finish you'd choose…
What are the options? Here's the full list of tile trim or edge names.
Want tiling without trim? You might look at having mitred edges but that'll only work with uniform, straight tiles – and a tiler who's happy doing them.
Plastic trim is harmful to the environment, ending up in landfill. Materials that require low energy to produce, or natural materials delivered without intensive mining, have the least impact on the planet. Metal is 100% recyclable, it is permanent, and it can be recycled forever, over and over again.
Adding a niche?
If you're building in a shower niche or shelf, plan where it goes before tiling starts. Ideally, line it up with your tile pattern to avoid awkward cuts.
Learn all about it in shower niche planning.
What colour of grout? How wide? What sealant?
Grout is more than a gap-filler – it's a design choice too and you'll ideally want to make that choice at the same time as your actual tiles.
Want your tiles to blend? Choose a grout colour close to the tile.
Want to highlight shape or pattern? Use a more contrasting grout.
Want something fun? Bold colours work too!
And don't forget grout width: thinner lines feel sleek and modern, wider joints lean rustic or traditional. You can also match your sealant to the grout colour for a tidier finish.
Floor tiles and thresholds
If you're tiling the floor, think about how it transitions into other rooms. Ideally, keeping the floor levels flush. If that's not possible, you'll need a threshold. There are options - wood, metal, even marble! But if you miss planning this ahead of time, you'll end up with whatever is most convenient at the time. Or an unsightly rough edge that you promise to get to one day.
Double-check that your floor tiles are floor appropriate. Normally you'll see slip-ratings, and if you're installing underfloor heating, make sure your tile choice is compatible.
Over order
Tiles are sold by the square metre, so work out the exact area you're tiling (in m²), then order at least 10% extra to allow for cuts, breakages, and spares and remember to apply that logic to anything you need along the edges too e.g. those dado / pencil tiles along the top.
Need help choosing grout colour or unsure whether to go trim-free? See it and feel it and see the colours together in person. Talk to your tiler early, and have a plan before they show up. We know a planner app that can help with this 😉. It's getting these small details right that makes all the difference.
Frequently asked questions
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Bathroom
Dimensions and understanding the space needed around your bathroom items
You'll want at least 700mm of clear floor space in front of your basin, toilet, shower, or bath - basically enough room to use them comfortably.
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